HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT PAINT FOR KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS
Most people choose interior paint based on colour. That’s not wrong — but in kitchens and bathrooms, colour is probably the last thing you should decide. The more important questions are: how much humidity does this room generate? How often do the walls get cleaned? And is the product you’re considering actually designed for these conditions?
This guide is for homeowners who want their kitchen and bathroom paintwork to last — not fail within a year or two because the wrong product was chosen.
WHY KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS ARE DIFFERENT
Think about what happens in a kitchen every single day. Cooking generates steam. Fat particles from frying settle on surfaces. The temperature in a kitchen fluctuates significantly compared to the rest of the house, and the walls closest to the hob or oven experience the most stress.
Bathrooms present a different but equally demanding environment. Every shower or bath generates humidity that condenses on walls and ceilings. Without proper ventilation, that moisture sits on the paint film for extended periods — creating exactly the conditions that cause peeling, blistering, and mould growth.
Standard interior PVA paint is not formulated for either of these environments. It’s an excellent product for bedrooms, lounges, and passages — rooms where humidity is low and cleaning is infrequent. In kitchens and bathrooms, it will absorb moisture over time, soften, and begin to fail.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A KITCHEN OR BATHROOM PAINT
Scrub resistance is the first performance attribute to check. In a kitchen, walls get wiped down regularly — sometimes with degreasers or commercial cleaning products. In a bathroom, surfaces are cleaned with bleach-based products more often than most people realise. A paint film that softens under wet scrubbing will begin to look worn and patchy within months.
Prominent Paints Premium Water Based Non-Drip Enamel / Solvent Based Non-Drip Enamel / Eggshell Enamel is formulated with high scrub resistance, which means the surface maintains its integrity under repeated cleaning — including Prominent Paints General Purpose Cleaner or (Sugar Soap).
Sheen level is also worth understanding. Matt and flat finishes look beautiful but have limited surface hardness. In kitchens and bathrooms, a satin or low-sheen finish provides a harder paint film that cleans more effectively and resists moisture better.
Prominent Fungal Wash can also be used to prevent mould growth on bathroom ceilings and walls, as it is one of the most common complaints from homeowners. Use Prominent Paints Premium Water Based Non-Drip Enamel / Solvent Based Non-Drip Enamel / Eggshell Enamel, that is water and steam resistant most suitable for this environment and also ensure to open window for ventilation after use to help prevent mould.
THE ROLE OF PRIMER IN KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS
Many homeowners skip the primer and go straight to the topcoat. In a kitchen or bathroom, it’s a false economy. On any bare plaster, repaired area, or previously unpainted surface, a primer is essential. Prominent Paints Damp Cure provides an alkali-resistant foundation that improves topcoat adhesion and reduces the risk of moisture finding its way through the film at weak points.
HOW TO APPLY Prominent Paints Premium Water Based Non-Drip Enamel / Solvent Based Non-Drip Enamel / Eggshell Enamel
FOR BEST RESULTS Start by treating any existing mould using Prominent Fungal Wash diluted 1:5 with water and scrub the surface and allowed 3 hours to react before rinsing and allow to dry fully before priming and painting. Do not paint over active mould.
Prepare all surfaces by filling cracks and holes, sanding smooth, and cleaning thoroughly. In kitchens, remove any grease film — Prominent General Purpose Cleaner or Sugar soap is effective for this.
Apply one coat of Prominent Paints Damp Cure on any bare, repaired, or suspect surfaces. Allow to dry fully — typically 24 hours.
Apply two full coats of Prominent Paints Premium Water Based Non-Drip Enamel / Solvent Based Non-Drip Enamel / Eggshell Enamel, allowing each coat to dry as stated on the back of pack before applying the next.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT COLOUR FOR KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS
In kitchens, warm whites, soft greys, and pale sage tones work well with most cupboard colours. In bathrooms, lighter tones open up smaller spaces, while larger bathrooms can carry deeper tones without feeling heavy. The Prominent Paints Colours of Home collection includes palettes that work beautifully in both environments.
FAQ
Q: Can I use the same paint in both the kitchen and bathroom?
A: Yes, provided it’s a purpose-built washable finish with high scrub resistance. Prominent Paints Premium Water Based Non-Drip Enamel / Solvent Based Non-Drip Enamel / Eggshell Enamel is suitable for both environments. Kitchens typically need more attention to grease removal before painting, and bathrooms require careful mould treatment with Prominent Fungal Wash if any surface mould is present.
Q: Do I need to use a special bathroom primer, or will any primer work?
A: Any high-quality alkali-resistant primer will perform adequately in a bathroom, provided the surface is properly prepared. Prominent Paints Damp Cure is appropriate for both kitchens and bathrooms on cement plaster, bare plaster, and repaired surfaces. On drywall or plasterboard, use a drywall sealer rather than a masonry primer.
Q: How often should I repaint my kitchen and bathroom?
A: With a quality washable finish properly applied over the correct primer, you should expect a service life of six to eight years in a well-ventilated bathroom and similar in a kitchen, depending on cooking frequency and cleaning intensity.
Q: What’s the best way to deal with mould on bathroom walls before repainting?
A: Remove all visible mould using a diluted Prominent Paints Fungal Wash solution (one part fungal wash to five parts water) applied with a cloth or brush, then allow 3 hours to react and then scrub the surface. Rinse with clean water and allow to dry completely before sanding or priming. In severe cases, re-apply the Prominent Paints Fungal Wash on the surface and allow to dry – this acts as mould inhibitor product applied before priming and will provide additional protection.
Q: My bathroom ceiling keeps going mouldy even after repainting. What am I doing wrong?
A: Recurring mould on a bathroom ceiling is almost always a ventilation problem first and a coating problem second. Ensure your bathroom has an operational extractor fan or adequate window ventilation, and use Prominent Paints Premium Water Based Non-Drip Enamel / Solvent Based Non-Drip Enamel / Eggshell Enamel Finish as your topcoat.